Opening arrangement, packaging and method of providing a packaging with an opening arrangement

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an opening arrangement ( 10 ) comprising a bottom piece ( 11 ) which is arranged so as to be positioned on a packaging material ( 1 ) and to delimit a pouring opening, a lid ( 12 ) which is hinged about a folding joint and arranged so as, in closed position, to seal the pouring opening, tamper evidence ( 14 ) which is on the one hand connected to a pull tab ( 13 ) connected to the lid ( 12 ) and on the other hand connected to the bottom piece ( 11 ) or arranged so as to be connected to the packaging material by means of a fastening surface ( 15 ), and which tamper evidence ( 14 ) is intended to be broken the first time the opening arrangement ( 10 ) is opened. That portion ( 13   b ) of the pull tab to which the tamper evidence ( 14 ) is connected, the tamper evidence ( 14 ) and that portion of the bottom piece ( 11 ) to which the tamper evidence ( 14 ) is connected or the fastening surface ( 15 ) which is intended to be connected to the packaging material ( 1 ) extend essentially along a common plane ( 16 ). The present invention also relates to a packaging and a method of providing a packaging with an opening arrangement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening arrangementcomprising a bottom piece which is arranged so as to be positioned on apackaging material and to delimit a pouring opening, a lid which ishinged about a folding joint and arranged so as, in closed position, toseal the pouring opening, tamper evidence which is on the one handconnected to a pull tab connected to the lid and on the other hand a)connected to the bottom piece or b) arranged so as to be connected tothe packaging material, and which is intended to be broken the firsttime the opening arrangement is opened.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a packaging which isproduced by folding a packaging material, which is provided with anopening arrangement which comprises a bottom piece which is arranged onthe packaging material and delimits a pouring opening, a lid which ishinged about a folding joint and arranged so as, in closed position, toseal the pouring opening, tamper evidence which is on the one handconnected to a pull tab connected to the lid and on the other hand a)connected to the bottom piece or b) connected to the packaging material,and which is intended to be broken the first time the openingarrangement is opened.

[0003] The present invention relates moreover to a method of providing apackaging with an opening arrangement.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0004] There are a great many ways of shaping, folding and weldingtogether plastic-film-coated paper material in order to producepackagings for liquid foodstuffs such as milk, juices and the like.

[0005] A commercially common method of producing a foodstuff packagingand filling it with a liquid foodstuff is shown in principle in FIG. 1.A paper web 1 is shaped continuously into a tube by the two longitudinaledges 1 a-b of the paper web being welded together, and the foodstuff inquestion is then filled into the newly formed tube. In the next processstep, the tube is divided into packagings by being transversely sealedand cut along the transverse seal so that pillow-shaped packaging blanksare formed, which are given their final shape by the corners beingfolded in and fastened to the side surfaces of the packaging. Acommercially well-known example of a packaging which is shaped in thisway is the cuboid Tetra Brik (registered trademark) packaging producedby Tetra Pak.

[0006] The packaging material comprises at least one layer of paper andat least one layer of plastic. The plastic layer provides the paperlayer with the necessary resistance to wet and is moreover intended tobe partly melted in order to weld different portions of the packagingmaterial together.

[0007] Recently, this type of packaging has been provided with varioustypes of opening arrangement.

[0008] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,213 discloses an openingarrangement made of plastic which has been injection-moulded directly inplace on a packaging material. A pair of mould halves is moved intoengagement around a punched-out hole in the packaging material, and aheated thermoplastic material is injected into the mould cavity and thusforms an opening arrangement which covers the hole punched in thepackaging material. The mould halves are shaped so that theinjection-moulded opening arrangement comprises two flanges which extendaround the periphery of the hole and lie against opposite sides of thepackaging material around the edge of the punched-out hole, the openingarrangement gripping around the edge of the hole and in this way sealingagainst the packaging material.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. B1-6,454,161 discloses another variant of such anopening arrangement. This opening arrangement has moreover been providedwith tamper evidence which indicates to the consumer whether or not thepackaging has been opened previously. In the design disclosed, however,problems may arise in some cases in connection with distribution becausethe opening arrangement disclosed extends up from the top side of thepackaging. When a number of packagings are stacked on top of oneanother, there is a risk that the tamper evidence will be compressed anddamaged, so that it is no longer unbroken even though the packaging hasnot been opened. If, to solve this problem, attempts are made to makethe tamper evidence stronger, however, the problem arises that it isdifficult for the consumer to open the packaging the first time when thetamper evidence has to be broken.

[0010] A further problem which should be mentioned in the context isthat some configurations of opening arrangement suffer from the problemthat the fastening surface to which the tamper evidence is fastenedtends to come loose if it is subjected to great loads duringdistribution or when a consumer intends to open the packaging for thefirst time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One object of the invention is therefore to produce an openingarrangement with tamper evidence.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to produce an openingarrangement which is adapted in such a way that, if so desired, it canbe injection-moulded directly over a hole in a packaging material.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to produce an openingarrangement which is provided with tamper evidence which is designed sothat the risk of distribution damage is kept low.

[0014] According to the invention, the abovementioned objects have beenachieved by means of an opening arrangement of the type described in theintroduction which has been provided with the characteristics that thatportion of the pull tab to which the tamper evidence is connected, thetamper evidence and a) that portion of the bottom piece to which thetamper evidence is connected or b) a fastening surface which is intendedto be connected to the packaging material extend essentially along acommon plane. By virtue of the fact that that portion of the pull tab towhich the tamper evidence is connected, the tamper evidence and a) thatportion of the bottom piece to which the tamper evidence is connected orb) a fastening surface which is intended to be connected to thepackaging material extend essentially along a common plane, aconfiguration of an opening arrangement is produced which is providedwith tamper evidence which is easy to break for a consumer but is notdamaged during manufacture or distribution. As the three portions extendalong a common plane, there is no hinge joint which is continuouslyfolded forwards and backwards during distribution, which reduces therisk of fatigue-like breakage. Furthermore, the fact that the threeportions extend along a common plane means that there is no edge whichthreatens to catch on other packagings when packagings are stacked invarious types of crate and distribution vehicle, which means that therisk is reduced of this type of breakage which occurs in the event ofexcessive undesirable once-only loads on the tamper evidence. By virtueof the fact that the abovementioned portions extend along a commonplane, the advantage is also achieved that they can be designed so thatthey do not project from the surface of the packaging to any greatextent, which is advantageous when the packagings are transported on abelt from the filling machine to a tray packer or the like. If thepackaging has projecting portions at the top which are too large inrelation to the size of the base surface, there is a risk that, in aqueue, they will become more and more inclined, so that a packaging atthe end of the queue may tip over or may not be received in the correctmanner by the distribution equipment. The tamper evidence designed inthis way is designed so that the consumer breaks the tamper evidence byapplying a force in a transverse direction in relation to the directionin which the grip tab, the tamper evidence and the fastening surfaceextend. In this way, the possibility has been created with the commonextent of separating the direction in which the tamper evidence isloaded during manufacture and distribution in relation to the directionin which it is loaded when the consumer opens the packaging for thefirst time. This means that it is possible to design the tamper evidenceso that it is strong as far as distribution loads are concerned, but itis at the same time possible to provide it with a clear tear indicationwhich makes opening easier for the consumer. Moreover, the fact that theabovementioned portions extend in a common plane means that it isclearly visible on the packaging whether the tamper evidence is intactor not. In the known constructions described above, the consumer oftenhas to take hold of the packaging and look at the tamper evidence fromthe side in order to see whether it is intact or not. As it is clearlyvisible directly on the packaging, it is moreover easy for dairypersonnel and/or shop staff to remove a packaging in the event of ithaving been damaged by excessive loads during distribution.

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependentpatent claims.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom piece is arrangedso as to delimit a pouring opening on a first surface of a packaging,that portion of the pull tab to which the tamper evidence is connected,the tamper evidence and a) that portion of the bottom piece to which thetamper evidence is connected or b) the fastening surface which isintended to be connected to the packaging material extending along asecond surface of the packaging, which second surface forms an anglewith the said first surface. This means that the tamper evidence is in acertain sense being hidden from the forces which could otherwise causeit to break when several layers of packagings are stacked on top of oneanother. It is moreover easier for a consumer to grip the packaging andpull away the tamper evidence in a natural way. A consumer usually gripsthe packaging around the upright rear side of the packaging with theopening arrangement at the top of the packaging. As the tamper evidenceextends around the corner edge and down onto the narrow front side, itis easy to take hold of the tamper evidence with the free hand withouthaving to angle the packaging or the free hand at a strange angle.Moreover, the natural gripping direction will mean that the consumer(even if s/he has not understood correctly in which direction the tamperevidence is to be torn) applies a force with a certain component in thetransverse direction, which ensures that correct tearing-off of thetamper evidence will take place.

[0017] Advantageously, the opening arrangement is manufactured in onepiece, preferably by injection-moulding a polymer, such as athermoplastic material. In this way, it is possible in a simple mannerto apply an opening arrangement to in principle any type of packagingvirtually irrespective of whether they are manufactured in the form ofpackaging blanks which are erected (such as in the case of most“roof-ridge” packagings) or in the form of a web which is continuouslyshaped into a tube which is filled and divided into separate packagings(such as in the case of the continuous filling system developed by TetraPak).

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the lid and the bottom pieceare moulded in a closed state, the connection between the lid and thebottom piece around the greater part of the pouring opening comprising aweakening line which is intended to be broken the first time the openingarrangement is opened. In this way, it is possible to produce a sealedpackaging which has been formed using a moulding tool without any needfor a core, which facilitates manufacture of the opening arrangement.This is of interest above all in cases where the opening arrangementsare produced directly on the spot in a filling machine or the like.

[0019] Advantageously, the opening arrangement is manufactured in onepiece, preferably by injection-moulding a polymer, such as athermoplastic material, directly on the packaging material. In this way,it is possible relatively simply to provide packagings from a continuousweb-fed system as mentioned above with opening arrangements. Preferably,holes are punched, and the opening arrangement is moulded directly overthe hole in the filling machine.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the fastening surface isarranged so as to extend over a fold line along which the packagingmaterial is intended to be folded for formation of a packaging. In thisway, the fastening surface will have to be pulled around the corner inorder for it to be possible for it to be torn away, which means that,purely geometrically, it is more difficult to pull the fastening surfaceloose from the packaging. Moreover, the conventional packaging materialconsisting of paper laminate is used in a better way. A paper-basedpackaging laminate usually has greater resistance to delamination inconnection with shearing between the layers compared with pulling-apartof the layers in the normal direction.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, that portion of thefastening surface which is intended to be located on the same side ofthe fold line as the bottom piece has a thickness which is greater thanthe thickness of that portion of the fastening surface which is intendedto be located on the other side of the fold line. In this way, it ispossible to produce a stable fastening surface which provides stabilityto the connection to the tamper evidence. Moreover, the thinner part iseasier to fold in connection with the packaging being folded. Inconnection with injection-moulding an opening arrangement of this type,the narrowing between the thicker portion and the thinner portion alsomeans that frictional heat is generated which contributes to ensuringthat the whole mould cavity is filled.

[0022] The abovementioned objects have also been achieved by means of apackaging of the type indicated in the introduction which has beenprovided with the characterizing features that that portion of the pulltab to which the tamper evidence is connected, the tamper evidence anda) that portion of the bottom piece to which the tamper evidence isconnected or b) a fastening surface which is connected to the packagingmaterial extend essentially along a common plane. In this way, apackaging with an opening arrangement is produced which is provided withtamper evidence which is easy to break for a consumer but is not damagedduring manufacture or distribution. As the three portions extend along acommon plane, there is no hinge joint which is continuously foldedforwards and backwards during distribution, which reduces the risk offatigue-like breakage. Other advantages which are achieved by means ofthe configuration according to the invention have been discussed indetail in connection with the description of the opening arrangementaccording to the invention and will not therefore be repeated in detail.These advantages are inter alia improved distribution possibilities asfar as breakage, stacking possibilities, queue formation etc. areconcerned. As mentioned above, it also provides a number of advantagesfor the consumer in terms of the clarity and ease with which the tamperevidence can be handled.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependentpatent claims.

[0024] The abovementioned objects have also been achieved by means of amethod of providing a packaging with an opening arrangement. The methodcomprises the steps of producing an opening arrangement which comprisesa bottom piece, a lid hinged about a folding joint, tamper evidencewhich is intended to be broken the first time the opening arrangement isopened and which is connected to on the one hand the lid and on theother hand a fastening surface, securing the opening arrangement on apackaging material, and folding the packaging material for formation ofa packaging along a line which extends transversely to a line which isdefined by the lid, the tamper evidence and the fastening surface.

[0025] The packaging with opening arrangement designed in this way isdesigned so that the consumer breaks the tamper evidence by applying aforce in a transverse direction in relation to the direction in whichthe grip tab, the tamper evidence and the fastening surface extend. Inthis way, the possibility has been created therewith of separating thedirection in which the tamper evidence is loaded during manufacture anddistribution in relation to the direction in which it is loaded when theconsumer opens the packaging for the first time. This means that it ispossible to design the tamper evidence so that it is strong as far asdistribution loads are concerned, but it is at the same time possible toprovide it with a clear tear indication which makes opening easier forthe consumer. By folding the opening arrangement and the packaging, thetamper evidence is in a certain sense being hidden from the forces whichcould otherwise cause it to break when several layers of packagings arestacked on top of one another. It is moreover easier for a consumer togrip the packaging and pull away the tamper evidence in a natural way. Aconsumer usually grips the packaging around the upright rear side of thepackaging with the opening arrangement at the top of the packaging. Asthe tamper evidence extends around the corner edge and down onto thenarrow front side, it is easy to take hold of the tamper evidence withthe free hand without having to angle the packaging or the free hand ata strange angle. Moreover, the natural gripping direction will mean thatthe consumer (even if s/he has not understood correctly in whichdirection the tamper evidence is to be torn) applies a force with acertain component in the transverse direction, which ensures thatcorrect tearing-off of the tamper evidence will take place.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependentpatent claims.

[0027] In order to facilitate folding of the packaging and the openingarrangement, the packaging material is suitably provided with a creaseline, the bottom surface and the fastening surface being secured oneither side of the crease line.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the packaging material isweb-shaped when the injection-moulding of the opening arrangement takesplace on the packaging material, which makes it easier to reach thematerial from both sides.

[0029] Advantageously, the grip tab and the tamper evidence form a curveafter injection-moulding on the packaging material, which curve extendsbetween the lid and the fastening surface, which makes it easier for thegrip tab and the tamper evidence to be folded in connection with thefolding of the packaging.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the grip tab comprises afirst portion which is connected to the lid and, after being secured, isangled so that it extends away from the packaging material, and a secondportion which interconnects the said first portion and the tamperevidence and, after being secured, forms an angle with the first portionand extends in the direction towards the fastening surface. By virtue ofprefolding the pull tab in this way, it is possible to design the pulltab, which is one of the strongest components of the openingarrangement, so that it forms the fold most exposed to abrasion aroundthe corner edge of the packaging.

[0031] So as to be adapted for packagings which are folded so that theangle between the top surface and the side surface is approximately aright angle, the grip tab is, according to a preferred embodiment,shaped so that the first portion of the grip tab extends at an angle ofapproximately 90-140° in relation to the plane of the packaging materialat the said hole. In this way, the grip tab forms a curve at the sametime as it has been given a certain prefolding in the direction in whichit will finally be folded when the packaging is shaped.

[0032] So as to be adapted for the final folding and to form the saidcurve, the second portion of the grip tab extends, according to apreferred embodiment, essentially parallel to the plane of the packagingmaterial at the said hole.

[0033] So as to form the said curve and to be adapted for the finalfolding, it is also advantageous if the tamper evidence is angled inrelation to the second portion of the grip tab and extends at an angleof approximately 45-90°, preferably nearly 90°, to the packagingmaterial in the direction towards the fastening surface.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the said method alsocomprises the step of folding the packaging material for formation of apackaging along a line which extends transversely to a line which isdefined by the grip tab, the tamper evidence and the fastening surface.The packaging with opening arrangement produced in this way is designedso that the consumer breaks the tamper evidence by applying a force in atransverse direction in relation to the direction in which the grip tab,the tamper evidence and the fastening surface extend. In this way, thepossibility has been created therewith of separating the direction inwhich the tamper evidence is loaded during manufacture and distributionin relation to the direction in which it is loaded when the consumeropens the packaging for the first time. This means that it is possibleto design the tamper evidence so that it is strong as far asdistribution loads are concerned, but it is at the same time possible toprovide it with a clear tear indication which makes opening easier forthe consumer. By folding the opening arrangement and the packaging, thetamper evidence is in a certain sense being hidden from the forces whichcould otherwise cause it to break when several layers of packagings arestacked on top of one another. It is moreover easier for a consumer togrip the packaging and pull away the tamper evidence in a natural way. Aconsumer usually grips the packaging around the upright rear side of thepackaging with the opening arrangement at the top of the packaging. Asthe tamper evidence extends around the corner edge and down onto thenarrow front side, it is easy to take hold of the tamper evidence withthe free hand without having to angle the packaging or the free hand ata strange angle. Moreover, the natural gripping direction will mean thatthe consumer (even if s/he has not understood correctly in whichdirection the tamper evidence is to be torn) applies a force with acertain component in the transverse direction, which ensures thatcorrect tearing-off of the tamper evidence will take place.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the said method alsocomprises the steps of securing the fastening surface so that it extendsover a fold line along which the packaging material is intended to befolded for formation of a packaging and folding the packaging materialto form a packaging so that the fastening surface is folded around thesaid fold line.

[0036] This affords a number of advantages as far as the strength of thepackaging is concerned. The fastening surface will have to be pulledaround the corner in order for it to be possible for it to be torn away,which means that, purely geometrically, it is more difficult to pull thefastening surface loose from the packaging. Moreover, the conventionalpackaging material consisting of paper laminate is used in a better way.A paper-based packaging laminate usually has greater resistance todelamination in connection with shearing between the layers comparedwith pulling-apart of the layers in the normal direction.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the folding of the packagingmaterial is carried out so that the fastening surface is folded double.This reinforces the mechanical strength of the fastening of thefastening surface. Folding double also means that the fastening surfacehas to come away from the packaging material in a direction which isopposite to the pulling direction on the outermost edge of the fasteningsurface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The invention will be described in greater detail below withreference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings which, for thepurpose of exemplification, show a for the present preferred embodimentof the invention.

[0039]FIG. 1 shows in perspective an upper portion of a cuboid packagingprovided with an opening arrangement.

[0040]FIG. 2 shows an enlargement of part of FIG. 1.

[0041]FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically an example of how a material web ofpackaging material can be drawn through and processed by a fillingmachine for producing a packaging of the type shown in FIG. 1.

[0042]FIG. 4 shows an opening arrangement seen from the side.

[0043]FIG. 5 shows diagrammatically the fastening surface seen fromdirectly above.

[0044]FIG. 6 shows diagrammatically the packaging material and thefastening surface secured on the packaging material seen from the side.

[0045]FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically how the packaging material and thefastening surface secured on the packaging material are arranged so asto be folded for formation of the packaging shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0046]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a packaging 1 which is provided with an openingarrangement 10. This opening arrangement 10 comprises a bottom piece 11which is secured around a hole in the packaging material, a lid 12which, in closed position, covers the hole in the packaging material andthe bottom piece 11, and a grip tab 13 which is connected by one of itsends to the lid 12 and by means of which a consumer can open and closethe lid 12. At its other end, the grip tab 13 is connected to a tamperevidence seal 14 which is in turn connected to a fastening surface 15.This fastening surface 15 is secured on the packaging material.

[0047] The bottom piece 11 is secured on the top surface 1 a of thepackaging 1, and the fastening surface is secured on a side surface 1 bof the packaging. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the packaging isdesigned so that the top surface 1 a and the side surface 1 b form aright angle in relation to one another. The invention can of course beapplied to other types of packaging, such as, for example, what may bedescribed as roof-ridge packagings and the like. In such cases, thebottom piece is suitably secured on one of the roof surfaces extendingobliquely upwards, and the fastening surface is secured on one of theside surfaces directly below the transition between the roof surface andthe side surface. For a conventional roof-ridge packaging, the roofsurface and the fastening surface form an angle of approximately 120°.There are also different variants of packaging with inclined topsurfaces where the present invention can be applied. The angle betweenthe top surface and the side surface for such packagings can varybetween, for example, just below 90° to nearly or just over 135°. In thecase of 135° between the side surface and the top surface, the topsurface forms an angle of 45° with the horizontal plane if the packagingis conventionally designed with a side surface which is at right anglesto the bottom surface. Recently, packagings have also appeared in whichone or more of the side surfaces is or are inclined in relation to thebottom surface. In cases where the side surface slopes outwards from thepackaging, the abovementioned angles are slightly smaller correspondingto the degree to which the side surface slopes, and if the side surfaceslopes inwards towards the interior of the packaging, the abovementionedangles are slightly greater corresponding to the degree to which theside surface slopes. Above all, packagings which are provided with sidesurfaces sloping outwards and horizontal or almost horizontal topsurfaces should be considered. In such cases, the right angle isconverted into an angle which is slightly smaller, in the order ofroughly 70-80° or nearly 90° according to the slope of the side surface.For packagings with side surfaces sloping outwards and inclined topsurfaces, it is likely that the packaging is shaped so that the anglebetween the surfaces is virtually perpendicular.

[0048] As can be seen from FIG. 1, a first portion 13 a of the grip tab13, to which the tamper evidence 14 is connected, the tamper evidence 14and the fastening surface 15 extend along a common geometrical plane 16which is parallel to the side surface 1 b of the packaging 1 andadjacent to the corner flap 1 c folded against the side surface 1 b. Fora roof-ridge packaging, this corner flap 1 c is not usually present, butthe grip tab 13, the tamper evidence 14 and the fastening surface 15extend directly along the side surface (not shown). The grip tab 13 alsohas a second portion 13 b, via which the grip tab 13 is connected to thelid 12. The two portions 13 a-b form an angle in relation to one anotherwhich is of the same order as the angle between the top surface 1 a andthe side surface 1 b. Furthermore, the angle between the two portions 13a, 13 b lies just outside the corner edge 1 d between the top surface 1a and the side surface 1 c and constitutes an essential part of thebending of the opening arrangement 10 which is necessary in order for itto be possible for its bottom piece 11 and fastening surface 15 to beconnected to two surfaces 1 a, 1 b which are angled in relation to oneanother.

[0049] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the opening arrangement 10 also has apouring edge 17 in order to facilitate pouring-out of the product filledinto the packaging. FIG. 4 also shows two legs 18 which are intended tolie against the top edge of the pouring opening and hold the lid 12 inthe open state. These components can be designed in a great manydifferent ways.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the opening arrangement 10is applied to the packaging material before it has been folded to form afinished packaging. FIG. 3 shows a method of producing a packaging withan opening arrangement of the abovementioned type. For the sake ofclarity, most components of the machine have been omitted and all thatis shown is how the packaging material is drawn through the fillingmachine in connection with production of a packaging. The packagingmaterial is supplied to the machine in the form of a roll. First, a partof the roll is drawn up to a buffer zone 30 which is used in order totake up variations in web length caused by inter alia the fact that someparts of the machine advance the web intermittently while other partsadvance the web continuously. The buffer zone 30 is used in order interalia to make automatic roll replacement possible without the machinehaving to be stopped. Similar buffer zones 31, 34, 35 are present inseveral places in the machine for similar purposes. Also present in thefilling machine are three punches 32 a-c which each punch a hole in thepaper web. The paper web has a width which is adapted so that it will befolded together to form a packaging. The punches are arranged one afteranother in the running direction of the paper web and punch a pouringopening for a respective packaging. Along this part of the machine, theweb is transported forwards intermittently between blows of the punches32 a-c. The method of indexing can vary between different types ofmachine. After one or a number of indexing(s) forward, the packagingmaterial with the punched holes comes to an injection-moulding station.In this station, three opening arrangements 10 are injection-mouldeddirectly on the web of packaging material. The paper web is clampedbetween two mould halves (one from each side of the web) which form amould cavity between them. The mould cavity surrounds the hole punchedin the packaging material, and the two halves of the mould cavitycommunicate with one another via the hole punched in the packagingmaterial. In this part of the machine as well, the packaging material isfed forwards by intermittent indexing.

[0051] After the packaging material has been provided with openingarrangements 10, it is shaped into a tube by its longitudinal edgesbeing sealed together in a conventional manner (see portion 36 in FIG.3). The tube is filled with the product concerned and is divided intoindividual packagings by the tube being sealed transversely (portion 37)and cut (portion 38) into pillow-shaped packaging blanks which arefinally folded into packagings by corner flaps and the like being foldedand fixed in the correct position (portion 39).

[0052] This method of providing a packaging with an opening arrangementis known and will not be described further, but reference is made to,for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,066 and EP-A1-1160172 for a technicaldescription.

[0053]FIG. 4 shows the shape the opening arrangement 10 has when it hasbeen injection-moulded or secured on the packaging material when this isin a plane or not completely folded state. Examples of situations with anot completely folded state are when the opening arrangement is appliedin a system which uses blanks which are erected, sealed at one end,filled and finally sealed at the other end. A suitable opportunity forapplying the opening arrangement in such a system is then after theblank has been erected so that there is space to reach the inside of thepackaging as well.

[0054] The opening arrangement 10 arranged on the plane packagingmaterial is folded so that the angle A between the lid 12 and the secondportion 13 b of the grip tab 13 is of the order of 120°. In the finishedfolded state (FIGS. 1 and 2), this angle is of the order of 180° (thatis to say they extend in approximately the same line). On planepackaging material (FIG. 4), the angle B between the two portions 13 a-bof the grip tab 13 is approximately 100°, and in the finished state, theangle B is approximately 90°. As mentioned above, the angle B in thefinished folded state differs depending on the shape of the finishedpackaging. The angle B between the different portions 13 a-b of the griptab 13 is approximately the same as the angle of the fold 1 d betweenthe top surface 1 a and the side surface 1 b. The angle C between thefirst portion 13 a of the grip tab 13 and the tamper evidence 14 isapproximately 100° on plane packaging material and it is approximately180° in the finished state, so that the first portion 13 a of the griptab 13 and the tamper evidence 14 extend along the same plane 16. Theangle D between the tamper evidence 14 and the fastening surface 15 isapproximately 90° on plane packaging material and it is approximately180° in the finished state, so that the tamper evidence 14 and thefastening surface 15 extend along the same plane 16.

[0055] The material at the angles A and B is to be folded only through alimited angle and can moreover without problems be designed to withstandthe loads which arise on account of this folding. On the other hand, thematerial at the angle(s) C and/or D is moreover to be easy to tear offso that a consumer can break the tamper evidence 14 easily when thepackaging 1 is to be opened for the first time. As mentioned above, theconfiguration shown has a number of advantages compared with previouslyknown configurations. As a consumer tears the tamper evidence 14 byapplying a force to the first portion 13 a of the grip tab 13 in adirection which extends in a transverse direction E transverse to thelongitudinal direction F which is defined by the first portion 13 a ofthe grip tab 13, the tamper evidence 14 and the fastening surface 15, itis possible to design the connections of the tamper evidence 14 to thegrip tab 13 and the fastening surface 15 so that they are strong in thelongitudinal direction F but weak in the transverse direction E. In thisway, an opening arrangement 10 has been produced which is suitable forbeing manufactured in the way shown in FIG. 3 but nevertheless providesthe desired tamper evidence 14. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, thefirst portion 13 a of the grip tab 13, the tamper evidence 14 and thefastening surface 15 extend along a common plane 16 which extends alongthe corner tab 1 c of the packaging 1. In this way, there is no edgewhich can catch on a corner or the like on a packaging which ispositioned alongside the packaging shown.

[0056] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the fastening surface 15 isdesigned and positioned on the packaging 1 in such a manner that it isfolded around a corner edge 1 e of the corner flap 1 c when thepackaging is folded from a pillow-shaped body into an essentially cuboidpackaging 1. This folding-over of the fastening surface 15 around thecorner edge 1 e of the packaging 1 means that the fastening surface 15is fixed on the packaging 1 and can take up great loads compared with ifit only extended along a plane portion of the packaging 1. FIG. 7 showsdiagrammatically how a fastening surface 15 is folded around a foldedcorner 1 e of the packaging 1. When the fastening surface 15 is loadedby means of a force in the abovementioned longitudinal direction Fduring distribution of the packaging 1, the folded-in part 15 b of thefastening surface 15 will have to be drawn around the corner 1 e inorder for the fastening surface 15 to come loose. In the same way, thefastening surface 15 will have to be drawn around the corner in order tocome loose when a consumer breaks the tamper evidence 14 for the firsttime. One advantage of the fastening surface 15 being folded around thecorner edge 1 e of the corner flap 1 c as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is thatthe inclination of the corner edge 1 e means that, irrespective of theangle of the force between the transverse direction and the longitudinaldirection, the folding-over 15 b will have to be drawn around the corner1 e as long as the force on the fastening surface 15 is directed inwardstowards the rest of the side surface 1 b.

[0057] FIGS. 5-7 show a fastening surface 15 diagrammatically. Thatportion of the fastening surface 15 which is located next to the tamperevidence 14 and is not folded around the corner edge 1 e on folding ofthe finished packaging has a first thickness T1 which is greater thanthe thickness T2 of that portion 15 b of the fastening surface 15 whichis intended to be folded around the corner edge 1 e of the corner flap 1c. The transition 15 c between the thicker portion 15 a and the thinnerportion 15 b is located along the line if along which the corner flap 1c is intended to be folded 1 e. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 5and 6, the said line 1 f is a crease line 1 f.

[0058]FIG. 6 shows diagrammatically a type of packaging material whichcomprises an outer layer 2 a of thermoplastic material, a paper layer 2b, a barrier layer of aluminium 2 c and an inner layer 2 d ofthermoplastic material. The invention is not limited to this type ofpackaging material, but other materials with or without an aluminiumlayer, for example, may also be mentioned. Furthermore, the openingarrangement can be used for packaging material which does not compriseany paper layer at all. If the opening arrangement is manufactured bydirect injection-moulding on the packaging material, however, it isadvantageous if the outer layer 2 a (and in most cases the inner layer 2d as well) is made from some form of thermoplastic material, the surfaceof which melts slightly when molten plastic is supplied during injectionmoulding so that the opening arrangement is welded firmly to thepackaging material.

[0059] The transition 15 c between the thicker portion 15 a and thethinner portion 15 b will also contribute to correct welding to thepackaging material as the plastic which is injected into the mouldcavity via a nozzle somewhere on the lid 12 will be heated at thenarrowing 15 c on account of the internal friction so that the thinnerportion 15 b is welded to the packaging material. According to apreferred embodiment, the thicker portion 15 a is approximately justless than twice as thick as the thinner portion 15 b. The thickerportion 15 a has a thickness which lies within the range 0.2 mm toapproximately 1 mm, and the thinner portion 15 b has a thickness whichlies within the range 0.1 mm to nearly 1 mm. According to a preferredembodiment, the thicker portion 15 a has a thickness T1 of 0.5 mm, andthe thinner portion 15 b has a thickness T2 of 0.3 mm.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the opening arrangement 10 is madein one piece from injection-moulded thermoplastic material, such aspolyethylene or the like. In such a configuration, it is suitable tomould the bottom piece 11 and the lid 12 in a closed state so that theyare moulded into a continuous body which completely seals theabovementioned hole in the packaging material. In order for it to bepossible for the consumer to open the packaging, the transition betweenthe lid 12 and the bottom piece 11 along the greater part of the pouringopening is designed as a weakening along which a tear will run when theconsumer opens the packaging for the first time. When the consumercloses the packaging after some of the product has been emptied out ofthe packaging, this weakening line of the lid 12 will be pressed downthrough the pouring opening in the bottom piece 11 so that a collar 19above the weakening seals against the delimiting edge of the pouringopening.

[0061]FIG. 7 shows how the packaging material 1 and the fasteningsurface 15 are folded for formation of a corner edge 1 e. In FIG. 7, thematerials have not been folded completely, but the fold has only beenstarted. When folding is complete, the inner sides of the packagingmaterial lie against one another.

[0062] It is clear that many modifications of the embodiments of theinvention described herein are possible within the scope of theinvention, which is defined in the following patent claims.

[0063] For example, the opening arrangement can be produced separatelyand then secured on the packaging material on a plane web or as a fullyor partly folded packaging.

[0064] Furthermore, the opening arrangement can be designed so that thebottom piece extends around the corner edge of the packaging between thetop surface and the side surface and the fastening surface is secured inan extension of the bottom piece.

[0065] It must also be mentioned that the angle discussed above betweenthe top surface and the side surface on which the fastening surface issecured concerns the angle seen along the fold line between the topsurface and the side surface. It is of course also possible to envisagepackagings where the side surface is inclined or has a different shapeif the packaging is viewed from directly above. However, this angle orshape does not affect the tamper evidence and fastening surfaceaccording to the invention to any great extent.

1. Opening arrangement (10) comprising a bottom piece (11) which isarranged so as to be positioned on a packaging material (1) and todelimit a pouring opening, a lid (12) which is hinged about a foldingjoint and arranged so as, in closed position, to seal the pouringopening, tamper evidence (14) which is on the one hand connected to apull tab (13) connected to the lid (12) and on the other hand a)connected to the bottom piece (11) or b) arranged so as to be connectedto the packaging material by means of a fastening surface (15), andwhich tamper evidence (14) is intended to be broken the first time theopening arrangement (10) is opened, characterized in that that portion(13 b) of the pull tab to which the tamper evidence (14) is connected,the tamper evidence (14) and a) that portion of the bottom piece (11) towhich the tamper evidence (14) is connected or b) the fastening surface(15) which is intended to be connected to the packaging material (1)extend essentially along a common plane (16).
 2. Opening arrangementaccording to claim 1, in which the bottom piece (11) is arranged so asto delimit a pouring opening on a first surface (1 a) of a packaging,that portion (13 b) of the pull tab (13) to which the tamper evidence(14) is connected, the tamper evidence (14) and a) that portion of thebottom piece (11) to which the tamper evidence (14) is connected or b)the fastening surface (15) which is intended to be connected to thepackaging material (1) being arranged so as to extend along a secondsurface (1 b) of the packaging, which second surface (1 b) forms anangle with the said first surface (1 a).
 3. Opening arrangementaccording to claim 2, in which the said first surface (1 a) of thepackaging is essentially at right angles in relation to the said secondsurface (1 b) of the packaging.
 4. Opening arrangement according toclaim 2 or 3, in which the tamper evidence (14) is connected to on theone hand the pull tab (13) and on the other hand a fastening surface(15) intended to be connected to the packaging material (1).
 5. Openingarrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, which ismanufactured in one piece, preferably by injection-moulding a polymer,such as a thermoplastic material.
 6. Opening arrangement according toclaim 5, in which the lid (12) and the bottom piece (11) are moulded ina closed state, the connection between the lid (12) and the bottom piece(11) around the greater part of the pouring opening comprising aweakening line which is intended to be broken the first time the openingarrangement (10) is opened.
 7. Opening arrangement according to claim 5or 6, which is manufactured in one piece, preferably byinjection-moulding a polymer, such as a thermoplastic material, directlyon the packaging material (1).
 8. Opening arrangement according to oneor more of claims 1-7, the fastening surface (15) and the bottom piece(11) being connected to respective portions of the packaging material(1) which are located on either side of a line (1 d) along which thepackaging material is intended to be folded in order to be shaped into apackaging.
 9. Opening arrangement according to one or more of claims1-8, the fastening surface (15) being arranged so as to extend over afold line (1 e) along which the packaging material (1) is intended to befolded for formation of a packaging.
 10. Opening arrangement accordingto claim 9, in which that portion (15 a) of the fastening surface (15)which is intended to be located on the same side of the fold line (1 e)as the bottom piece (11) has a thickness (T1) which is greater than thethickness (T2) of that portion (15 b) of the fastening surface (15)which is intended to be located on the other side of the fold line (1e).
 11. Packaging produced by folding a packaging material (1), which isprovided with an opening arrangement (10) which comprises a bottom piece(11) which is arranged on the packaging material (1) and delimits apouring opening, a lid (12) which is hinged about a folding joint andarranged so as, in closed position, to seal the pouring opening, tamperevidence (14) which is on the one hand connected to a pull tab (13)connected to the lid (12) and on the other hand a) connected to thebottom piece (11) or b) connected to the packaging material via afastening surface (15), and which tamper evidence (14) is intended to bebroken the first time the opening arrangement (10) is opened,characterized in that that portion (13 b) of the pull tab (13) to whichthe tamper evidence (14) is connected, the tamper evidence (14) and a)that portion of the bottom piece (11) to which the tamper evidence (14)is connected or b) the fastening surface (15) which is connected to thepackaging material (1) extend essentially along a common plane (16). 12.Packaging according to claim 11, in which the bottom piece (11) delimitsa pouring opening on a first surface (1 a) of the packaging, thatportion (13 b) of the pull tab (13) to which the tamper evidence (14) isconnected, the tamper evidence (14) and a) that portion of the bottompiece (11) to which the tamper evidence (14) is connected or b) thefastening surface (15) which is connected to the packaging material (1)extending along a second surface (1 b) of the packaging, which secondsurface (1 b) forms an angle with the said first surface (1 a). 13.Packaging according to claim 12, in which the said first surface (1 a)of the packaging is essentially at right angles in relation to the saidsecond surface (1 b) of the packaging.
 14. Packaging according to claim12 or 13, in which the tamper evidence (14) is connected to on the onehand the pull tab (13) and on the other hand the fastening surface (15)which is connected to the packaging material (1).
 15. Packagingaccording to any one of the preceding claims, in which the openingarrangement (10) is manufactured in one piece, preferably byinjection-moulding a polymer, such as a thermoplastic material. 16.Packaging according to claim 15, in which the lid (12) and the bottompiece (11) are moulded in a closed state, the connection between the lid(12) and the bottom piece (11) around the greater part of the pouringopening comprising a weakening line which is intended to be broken thefirst time the opening arrangement (10) is opened.
 17. Packagingaccording to claim 15 or 16, in which the opening arrangement (10) ismanufactured in one piece, preferably by injection-moulding a polymer,such as a thermoplastic material, directly on the packaging material(1).
 18. Packaging according to one or more of claims 11-17, thefastening surface (15) and the bottom piece (11) being connected torespective portions of the packaging material (1) which are located oneither side of a line (1 d) along which the packaging material (1) isfolded for formation of a packaging.
 19. Packaging according to one ormore of claims 11-18, the fastening surface (15) extending over a foldline (1 e) along which the packaging material (1) is folded forformation of a packaging.
 20. Packaging according to claim 19, in whichthat portion (15 a) of the fastening surface (15) which is located onthe same side of the fold line (1 e) as the bottom piece (11) has athickness (T1) which is greater than the thickness (T2) of that portion(15 b) of the fastening surface (15) which is located on the other sideof the fold line (1 e).
 21. Method of providing a packaging with anopening arrangement (10), comprising the steps of producing an openingarrangement (10) which comprises a bottom piece (11), a lid (12) hingedabout a folding joint, tamper evidence (14) which is intended to bebroken the first time the opening arrangement (10) is opened and whichis connected to on the one hand the lid (12) and on the other hand afastening surface (15), securing the opening arrangement (10) on apackaging material (1), and folding the packaging material (1) forformation of a packaging along a line (1 d, E) which extendstransversely to a line (F) which is defined by the lid (12), the tamperevidence (14) and the fastening surface (15).
 22. Method according toclaim 21, which comprises the step of providing the packaging material(1) with a crease line (1 d), the bottom surface (11) and the fasteningsurface (15) being secured on either side of the crease line (1 d). 23.Method according to claim 21 or 22, the packaging material (1) beingweb-shaped when the opening arrangement (10) is secured on the packagingmaterial (1).
 24. Method according to one or more of claims 21-23, whichalso comprises the step of shaping the packaging material (1) into atube by joining together two longitudinal edges of the packagingmaterial (1).
 25. Method according to one or more of claims 21-24, inwhich the tamper evidence (14) is connected to the lid (12) via a pulltab (13) connected to the lid (12).
 26. Method according to one or moreof claims 21-25, the grip tab (13) and the tamper evidence (14) forminga curve after being secured on the packaging material (1), which curveextends between the lid (12) and the fastening surface (15).
 27. Methodaccording to claim 26, the grip tab (13) comprising a first portion (13a) which is connected to the lid (12) and, after being secured, isangled so that it extends away from the packaging material (1), and asecond portion (13 b) which interconnects the said first portion (13 a)and the tamper evidence (14) and, after being secured, forms an angle(B) with the first portion (13 a) and extends in the direction towardsthe fastening surface (15).
 28. Method according to claim 27, the firstportion (13 a) of the grip tab (13) extending at an angle (A) ofapproximately 90-140° in relation to the plane (1 a) of the packagingmaterial (1) at the said hole.
 29. Method according to one or more ofclaims 21-28, the second portion (13 b) of the grip tab (13) extendingessentially parallel to the plane (1 a) of the packaging material (1) atthe said hole.
 30. Method according to one or more of claims 21-29, thetamper evidence (14) being angled (C) in relation to the second portion(13 b) of the grip tab (13) and extending at an angle (D) ofapproximately 45-90°, preferably nearly 90°, to the packaging material(1) in the direction towards the fastening surface (15).
 31. Methodaccording to one or more of claims 21-30, that portion (13 b) of thegrip tab (13) which is connected to the tamper evidence (14), the tamperevidence (14) and the fastening surface (15) extending along a portion(1 c) of the packaging material (1) folded to form a packaging whichforms an angle with that portion (1 a) of the packaging material (1)which carries the bottom piece (11).
 32. Method according to one or moreof claims 21-31, which also comprises the step of punching (32 a-c) ahole in a packaging material (1) and securing the opening arrangement(10) over the hole.
 33. Method according to one or more of claims 21-32,which also comprises the steps of closing a mould space around the holein the packaging material (1) by means of a moulding tool (33 a-c),injection-moulding in one piece an opening arrangement (10) comprising abottom piece (11), a folding lid (12), a grip tab (13), tamper evidence(14) and a fastening surface (15), and, during injection-moulding,securing the bottom piece (11) and the fastening surface (15) to thepackaging material (1).
 34. Method according to one or more of claims21-33, which also comprises the step of securing the fastening surface(15) so that it extends over a fold line (1 e) along which the packagingmaterial (1) is intended to be folded for formation of a packaging. 35.Method according to claim 34, which also comprises the step of foldingthe packaging material (1) to form a packaging so that the fasteningsurface (15) is folded around the said fold line (1 e).
 36. Methodaccording to claim 35, in which the folding of the packaging material(1) is carried out so that the fastening surface (15) is folded double.